Page 64 of The Rebel with Broken Strings
As conversation flowed around them, punctuated by laughter and the clinking of bottles, Gunner forced himself into the moment. These people, this place—he wanted to keep them all strong in his mind.
He took another swig of beer, letting the cool liquid chase away the bitter taste of indecision. For now, he’d savor this moment, surrounded by laughter and love, and pray that somehow, someway, he’d find a path that wouldn’t lead to heartbreak.
He suddenly caught Jaxon’s eye and saw him tilt his head slightly toward the barn.
Gunner excused himself from Aubrey and followed Jaxon behind the barn.
“Spill it,” Jaxon said. “What’s eating at you?”
Gunner sighed, leaning back against the barn. “The label loves the new tracks I sent. They want me back in Nashville, pronto. Album, tour, the whole nine yards.”
Jaxon let out a low whistle. “That’s great news, isn’t it?”
“Should be,” Gunner muttered. “But I can’t stop thinking about what it means for me and Aubrey.”
They’d paused near an old oak tree, its gnarled branches offering shade from the afternoon sun. Jaxon leaned against the trunk, facing Gunner, his expression thoughtful.
“Listen, man,” he said, his tone gentle but firm. “Aubrey loves you. Anyone with eyes can see that. She’ll support you, no matter what.”
Gunner nodded, swallowing hard. “I know. That’s what scares me. What if I’m making a mistake? Part of me doesn’t even want to go. I want to stay here, with her, where everything finally makes sense.”
“You can’t run from who you are, Gunner,” Jaxon said softly. “Music’s in your blood. It’s part of who Aubrey fell for.”
Gunner sighed, rubbing the tension from his neck. “But what if I lose her? What if I lose all of this?” He gestured to the ranch, to the laughter echoing across the field. “What if I’m walking away from a good thing that saved me when I needed to be saved.”
Jaxon placed a reassuring hand on Gunner’s shoulder. “You won’t lose anything. Home isn’t just a place, it’s the people who love you. And brother, you’ve got that in spades here. You and Aubrey are a good thing. You’ll make this work. Timber Falls is all but a flight away. You can come home anytime, and now you know that youshould. Being home grounds you.”
As Gunner absorbed Jaxon’s words, he felt a flicker of hope ignite in his chest. Maybe, just maybe, he could have both—his musicandthe life he’d built here in Timber Falls.
Twenty
Days had gone by, filled with all things wedding, and now Aubrey stood at the edge of the dance floor, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her champagne flute as she watched Charly and Jaxon sway to the music. In the big white tent, the newlyweds moved in perfect sync, lost in each other’s eyes, their faces glowing with unbridled joy, surrounded by all their friends and family. A bittersweet ache bloomed in Aubrey’s chest.
They look so happy, she thought, a small smile tugging at her lips.So certain.
Her gaze drifted across the sea of smiling faces and twirling bodies, searching for one in particular. The absence of Gunner sent a ripple of unease through her.
“Have you seen Gunner?” she asked, turning to her mother beside her.
Her mom shook her head. “Not for a while. Perhaps he stepped out for some air?”
Aubrey nodded. “Thanks, I’ll go check.” It came as no surprise that her mother loved Gunner. His charm could win anyone over.
She set down her glass and made her way to the edge of the tent, pausing to smooth the skirt of her cornflower-blue dress. The fabric felt suddenly constricting, matching the tightness in her chest.
I can’t keep avoiding this, Aubrey thought, steeling herself.We need to talk. For days she’d been able to tell something was wrong. Maybe she didn’t want to face it. Maybe she didn’t want to admit there was trouble brewing, but she knew now—she couldn’t avoid it any longer.
As she slipped out into the cool evening air, the sounds of laughter and music faded behind her. She took a deep breath, the scents of pine and wildflowers filling her lungs. She gazed out at the sprawling ranch, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun.
She started walking, her heels sinking slightly into the soft earth with each step. She moved with purpose, driven by a need to confront the truth she’d been dancing around for weeks. The weight of unspoken words and lingering glances had become too heavy to bear.
What if he’s pulling away?The thought crept in, unbidden.What if I’m not enough to make him stay?
She pushed the doubts aside, focusing instead on the task at hand. Finding Gunner. Having the conversation they’d both been avoiding.
As she rounded the corner of the barn, her heart skipped a beat. There, silhouetted against the fading light, stood the man who had captured her heart.
She paused at the edge of the pasture, her breath catching in her throat. The mountains loomed in the distance, their jagged peaks painted in hues of purple and orange as the sun dipped lower.
